astronomical

adjective

as·​tro·​nom·​i·​cal ˌa-strə-ˈnä-mi-kəl How to pronounce astronomical (audio)
variants or less commonly astronomic
ˌa-strə-ˈnä-mik How to pronounce astronomical (audio)
Synonyms of astronomical
1
: of or relating to astronomy
astronomical observations
2
: enormously or inconceivably large or great
astronomical numbers
an astronomical price
astronomically
ˌa-strə-ˈnä-mi-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce astronomical (audio)
adverb

Synonyms of astronomical

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Examples of astronomical in a Sentence

The cost of the office building was astronomical. We got an astronomical telephone bill this month.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Donaldson’s astronomical rise to success has become a blueprint for the future of the creator economy, according to Steven Bartlett, an investor and host of The Diary of a CEO podcast. — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026 The team completed both runs and much of the data analysis in about four days, creating enormous datasets designed to help scientists investigate the universe’s earliest moments and interpret observations from major astronomical surveys. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2026 Since the 1970s, leap seconds have also been doing the job of correcting the imbalance between astronomical time and the ultraprecise atomic clocks that now set the global standard. — Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026 Right now, speaking to friends and family in Iran, yes, prices are astronomical, but there are no serious shortages. — Ali Vaez, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for astronomical

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin astronomicus "of or relating to astronomy" (borrowed from Greek astronomikós "of astronomy, skilled in astronomy," from astronomía astronomy + -ikos -ic entry 1) + -al entry 1

First Known Use

1551, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of astronomical was in 1551

Phrases Containing astronomical

Rhymes for astronomical

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Browse Nearby Words

Astronomer Royal
astronomical
astronomical clock
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Cite this Entry

“Astronomical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/astronomical. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

astronomical

adjective
as·​tro·​nom·​i·​cal ˌas-trə-ˈnäm-i-kəl How to pronounce astronomical (audio)
variants also astronomic
-ˈnäm-ik How to pronounce astronomical (audio)
1
: of or relating to astronomy
2
: extremely or unbelievably large
the cost was astronomical
astronomically
-ˈnäm-i-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce astronomical (audio)
adverb
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